Paris, May 13.
Vast masses of men and machines were engaged in bitter warfare on a front extending through the, Netherlands. Belgium and Luxembourg, to the Saar region along the Maginot Line, the French General Staff announced last. night.
The situation in the Netherlands improved for the defenders as the Royal Air Force gave powerful support to the Dutch land and alr forees. German pressure in Belgium con: tinued to be heavy, but Allied alr forces inflicted heavy losses on the invaders, "In Belgium, communique the pointed out, "enemy pressure con Hnued west of Maastricht and in the Tongres region, but was considerably hindered' by the action of Allied air forces over bridges in the Maastricht area and against troop columns, which suffered heavy losses. The advance of our troops in. central Belgium continues smoothly. The enemy made an Important attempt to advance the Belgian Ardennes region, where violent encounters occurred. Fighting also resumed on the Luxembourg an, forces," the communique continued, "also attacked our advanced Positions between the Warndt Forest and the Saar, There is nothing im~ portant to report on the eastern part Of the front between the Saar and the Swiss frontier.
German air forces were very active, particularly over north-east France. "They were counter-attacked by anti-aircraft fire and Allied planes and 30 of them were brought down during the day. It is to be noted that some 90 German planes were shot down by our anti-aircraft guns alone fon May' 10 and 11."—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.